Minecraft's next update is revealed, bringing with it wool stairs, straw beds, and a brand new biome

A Minecraft build showcasing the new Poplar wood door design, featuring distinctive diamond-shaped window details.
The latest Minecraft Live has shown off what to expect from the next update. (Image credit: Mojang Studios | Reddit)

First off, let’s cover the update that's been in testing, Chaos Cubed, which now has an official release date of June 16, 2026. It features the likes of Sulfur Cubes with different behaviors, as well as new Sulfur Cave biomes and geysers.

Now, with that out of the way, onto the new update. I don’t think we have a name for it yet, but we do have some details, so let’s go over those.

The biggest reveal from the presentation was the Dappled Forest, a brand-new biome that looks heavily inspired by autumn. According to Mojang, the biome takes inspiration from forests in places like Michigan and Sweden, featuring vibrant red, orange, and yellow leaves that are meant to stand out from other biomes.

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Alongside the new trees, the biome also introduces red shrubs scattered throughout the biome. Red shrubs will stay red regardless of where you place them, giving builders new creative options.

The new Dappled Forest biome coming to Minecraft. (Image credit: Mojang Studios | Reddit)

Of course, a new biome also means a new type of wood. The Dappled Forest introduces Poplar wood, which has a warm gray appearance that looks like it would pair nicely with both stone and the existing Pale Oak blocks.

The new Poplar doors are also worth mentioning. Mojang says they were inspired by Swedish architecture, featuring distinctive diamond-shaped windows. I have no point of reference for Swedish architecture myself, but they do look pretty cool.

Mojang is also adding a new world structure called the Abandoned Camp. Rather than being another structure with a chest full of loot, it's designed to make players wonder who was there before them and what adventure they might have been on, something I feel Minecraft has missed over the years.

Perhaps the most exciting addition for builders, however, is the arrival of wool stairs and wool slabs. This is something players have been asking for years, and it finally looks like it's happening.

A first look at the Abandoned Camp coming in the new biome. (Image credit: Mojang Studios | Reddit)

Another neat addition is straw beds. While not officially confirmed by Mojang during the presentation, they have appeared online and seem to function as temporary bedding for the night without resetting your spawn point.

The update is still in very early development, so Mojang says more features will be added before it enters testing later this summer. Even so, if you're someone who enjoys building, decorating, or exploring new biomes, there's already plenty here to be excited about, and for me it might be enough to finally jump back in after a long hiatus.

Anyway I’m pretty sure that’s everything I managed to catch from the Minecraft Live reveal of the latest update, if I have missed anything do let let me know in the comments, and also let me know what you think of this latest update, I actually think it seems pretty cool, and as always make sure you take part in our poll below:


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Adam Hales
Contributor

Adam is a Psychology Master’s graduate passionate about gaming, community building, and digital engagement. A lifelong Xbox fan since 2001, he started with Halo: Combat Evolved and remains an avid achievement hunter. Over the years, he has engaged with several Discord communities, helping them get established and grow. Gaming has always been more than a hobby for Adam—it’s where he’s met many friends, taken on new challenges, and connected with communities that share his passion.

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